Frequently Asked Questions

You can find the link to the form via the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue website on the ‘Join Us’ page or directly through greater.jobs (external website).

Please email JoinUs@manchesterfire.gov.uk and a member of the recruitment team will contact you to discuss.

Yes, all candidates are required to start the process from the beginning. However, you may not need to resubmit your expression of interest again if it is still valid. You can check this via your GMCA account.

Our recruitment processes changed in 2025 and we are no longer hosting taster days. We release all recruitment campaign updates via email. Please be patient as depending on when you submit your interest, we could be in the middle of a campaign, so updates won’t be as frequent.

We host an Ignite Your Potential information session each month, try to get onto one of these once you are invited as we will be able to provide updates and information here.

It is also your responsibility to ensure you monitor your Greater.jobs account inbox and that your contact details (email address) are correct and kept up to date.

We have introduced a 'Readiness Assessment'. Everyone on our expression of interest list will be notified when this goes live/when we have reopened recruitment. Ensure you have completed this before the instructed deadline to be included in the next recruitment campaign.

The recruitment process can take around six months. We currently run three courses a year, you could be waiting a number of months before being allocated a course. Once allocated a course, you will then start your pre – employment checks/ onboarding, to include your medical, DBS check, references and uniform fitting.

The minimum standard required for the bleep test is level 8.8. The bleep test assessment will finish at 8.8, however once on your recruits course you will be expected to run to higher levels.

Candidates successful in the recruitment process will be advised they must be aiming towards level 10 in the bleep test, prior to starting their initial training course.

You need to be 18 years or older at the time of application and there is no upper limit.

Internal candidates will be required to have a valid expression of interest so you will receive recruitment updates from us.

No. We welcome applications from everyone no matter their age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.

Expressions of interest forms are welcomed from anyone passionate about keeping the people of Greater Manchester safe and from this we will only recruit the very best.

This role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

All applicants are obliged to disclose any convictions cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not “protected” in their application forms.

Please be assured that any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest of confidence and will be reviewed on an individual basis in relation to the job.

This means that you will not necessarily be excluded from a job offer process if you have a criminal record; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

For more information on what is classed as ‘protected’ please visit the Ministry of Justice Website (external website)

Due to Health and Safety reasons, GMFRS requires candidates to remove all piercings. However, tattoos are acceptable, as long as they are not considered offensive.

No, candidates applying for the Wholetime Firefighter role are applying to work anywhere in Greater Manchester. Although we will try to place you as close to home as possible, placements will be assigned as per organisational need and where there are vacancies.

No. Due to the new recruitment process, we will be recruiting more frequently. Therefore, we recommend candidates who are currently injured do not apply at this time, as there will be future opportunities available.

However, you can still submit your expression of interest to be notified of future recruitment campaigns. 

Yes, candidates can apply for the Wholetime Firefighter role without a full UK driving licence. However, within the two-year (minimum) apprenticeship, they must pass their manual driving test prior to taking their end point assessment.

Please email your details (name and contact number) to JoinUs@manchesterfire.gov.uk and a member of the recruitment team will contact you to discuss.

Visit our medical screening for Firefighter recruitment page to find out more about the medical screening and standards.

All candidates are required to have their Maths and English Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications prior to applying for the apprenticeship or achieve Level 2 in their Functional Skills assessment in the recruitment process.

Regardless, if you have your qualifications, all candidates are required to sit the assessment in the process.

Currently the role is open to everybody however postcode restrictions could be applied to future campaigns.